From Hopscotch to Holiness

Growing In Freedom And Healing69empowered by the Holy Spirit to think and respond like Christ. How areyou doing, Beloved?These probing questions may be helpful in determining your need to dieto self.• How do I react when I am forgotten and neglected?• What is the reaction of my heart when I am insulted or spoken evil of?• Do I rise up with anger or the need to defend myself when mywishes are disregarded or my advice is not heeded?• Have I learned to be content in any circumstance, even when food,clothes, climate, or people may be challenging?When you truly never care to exalt yourself in conversation or experiencethe need for acclamation from others, that is death to self. When youcan see others prosper and honestly rejoice with them from the heart,that is death to self. When you can receive correction from someone youconsider a subordinate and can still submit humbly, that is death to self.Dying to self is an ongoing decision. Yes, we can make a first-timecommitment to the Lord and specifically ask the Lord to purge us of ourselfish, self-centered desires. You are encouraged to do that today. Butwe must also die to self on a daily basis. Every day, we are confrontedwith the temptations of self. Without that realization, we will constantlyfall victim to the enemy’s attacks. The pit of self-pity is always waiting andready for us to fall into. The key to victory is submission to the Lord andhis ways. When the temptations come to exalt ourselves or feel angry oranxious because of our circumstances, we must be quick to cry out to theLord. He will rescue us. He will strengthen us. His power will enable usto fight the good fight of faith. He will give us the victory over the enemy.